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Child growth screening through three age comparisons

Compare weight age, height age, and chronological age to help identify children who need further assessment.

Start screening Learn the method
  • WHO 2006
  • Indonesian MoH Regulation No. 2/2020
  • Works offline
Example screening result Further assessment recommended
Weight age 12.7 bln
Height age 15.1 bln
Chronological age 24.0 bln

Weight age < height age < chronological age

Example: boy aged 24 months, 9.8 kg, 78.5 cm. This example is not a diagnosis.

Illustrative photo: CDC/Unsplash

Core concept

Three ages, one pattern

Weight age is the age at which the WHO reference median weight matches the child's current measurement. Height age applies the same principle to length or height. Both are then compared with chronological age, the child's actual age.

This comparison helps health workers recognise growth patterns that warrant further review. It does not stand alone and must be interpreted alongside growth history, measurement quality, and clinical assessment.

Weight age 12.7 mo
Height age 15.1 mo
Chronological age 24.0 mo

Weight age < height age < chronological age

Identify growth patterns requiring further assessment

Weight lags further behind than height. Confirm the measurements and assess further.

Weight age 16.2 mo
Height age 16.5 mo
Chronological age 24.0 mo

Weight age equals height age < chronological age

Growth appears proportionate

Interpret alongside growth history, parental height, and clinical assessment.

Weight age 21.0 mo
Height age 15.8 mo
Chronological age 24.0 mo

Height age < chronological age, weight age higher

Consider other factors

Height lags while weight is relatively higher. This pattern is not typical of undernutrition.

Values are illustrative examples, not patient results.

The pattern cannot be used as a stand-alone diagnosis.

How the calculator works

Four steps from measurement results to suggested follow-up.

  1. 1

    Enter measurements

    Enter date of birth, sex, weight, and the child's length or height.

  2. 2

    Run the calculation

    The system calculates z-scores and estimates weight age and height age using the selected standard.

  3. 3

    Review the pattern

    Weight age and height age are compared with chronological age to identify where growth lags.

  4. 4

    Decide the next step

    Review the risk level, rationale, and suggested next assessment or monitoring step.

Designed for Posyandu and primary care teams

The information shown supports different roles in care and research.

A doctor examines a child accompanied by a parent
Illustrative photo: Vitaly Gariev/Unsplash

Community health volunteers

Enter measurements and review monitoring advice quickly, including with limited connectivity.

Midwives and health centre staff

Manage growth history, guardian consent, interventions, and referral forms in one workflow.

Doctors and researchers

Review clinical assessments, research data exports, and tool-performance analyses in a structured workflow.

About the study

Status: currently undergoing research and validation.

This calculator is being developed in the study Development and Validation of a Digital Screening Calculator Based on National Guidelines for Early Detection and Risk Triage of Childhood Stunting at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran.

A health worker using a laptop and stethoscope
Illustrative photo: National Cancer Institute/Unsplash

Read more

Design
Cross-sectional diagnostic accuracy study
Participants
270 children aged 0 to 59 months
Setting
Catchment areas of the Tanjungsari, Pamulihan, and Sukasari health centres, Sumedang District
Reference standard
Blinded assessment by a paediatrician
Performance target
Sensitivity and specificity of at least 80%, kappa of at least 0.61
Period
April to December 2026

Research team

  • Aly Diana, dr., M.Kes., MPH(Nutr), PhD

    Principal investigator

    Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran

  • Viramitha Kusnandi Rusmil, dr., M.Kes., Sp.A(K)

    Co-investigator

    Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran

  • Mulya Nurmansyah Ardisasmita, dr., M.T.

    Co-investigator

    Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran

  • Claudia Leong

    International research partner

    Ara Institute of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

Research collaboration

Partners and sites

  • Universitas Padjadjaran Faculty of Medicine
  • Ara Institute of Canterbury Christchurch, New Zealand
  • Puskesmas Tanjungsari Sumedang District
  • Puskesmas Pamulihan Sumedang District
  • Puskesmas Sukasari Sumedang District

Questions and answers

Is the calculator result the same as a stunting diagnosis?

No. The calculator reads anthropometric data and growth patterns for triage. Diagnosing stunting requires a medical examination, including ruling out non-nutritional causes of short stature.

Which standard is used?

The WHO Child Growth Standards 2006, adopted in Indonesia through Ministry of Health Regulation No. 2 of 2020 on child anthropometric standards. Nutritional status categories follow that regulation.

Why are children under 24 months measured lying down?

WHO standards for 0 to 24 months are based on recumbent length, while 24 to 60 months are based on standing height. If the measurement position differs, the calculator adjusts by 0.7 cm automatically.

How is weight age different from weight-for-age?

Weight-for-age says how far the weight of a child sits from the median in standard deviation units. Weight age says at what age the median weight of the reference child equals the weight of this child, which makes it easy to compare with height age and real age.

How is child data protected?

The national identity number is not stored, only a keyed hash. Name and contact details are stored separately and can only be seen by authorised staff. Data for analysis is exported with subject codes.

Does it work without internet?

Once the app is installed and opened online, the calculator still works without a signal. Saving data to the server still needs a connection.

Start growth screening

Use the calculator without an account, or sign in as staff to save measurement history and create referral forms.

Start screening Sign in as staff

Add to home screen

Buka kalkulator sekali saat tersambung internet agar berkasnya tersedia untuk penggunaan tanpa sinyal. Penyimpanan data petugas tetap memerlukan internet.

Android atau tablet dengan Chrome
  1. Buka Pola Tumbuh di Chrome.
  2. Ketuk menu titik tiga di kanan atas.
  3. Choose Tambahkan ke layar utama or Instal aplikasi.
  4. Ikuti konfirmasi Instal or Tambahkan.
iPhone atau iPad dengan Chrome
  1. Buka Pola Tumbuh di Chrome.
  2. Tap Bagikan di sebelah kanan kolom alamat.
  3. Choose Tambahkan ke Layar Utama.
  4. Periksa nama aplikasi, lalu ketuk Tambahkan.

Jika pilihan belum tersedia, perbarui Chrome dan iOS, atau buka alamat yang sama di Safari.

iPhone atau iPad dengan Safari
  1. Buka Pola Tumbuh di Safari.
  2. Tap Bagikan.
  3. Choose Tambahkan ke Layar Utama, lalu ketuk Add.
Laptop atau komputer dengan Chrome
  1. Buka Pola Tumbuh di Chrome.
  2. Klik ikon instal di kolom alamat jika tersedia. Alternatifnya, buka menu titik tiga, lalu menu Cast, simpan, dan bagikan dan pilihan instal halaman sebagai aplikasi.
  3. Konfirmasi pemasangan. Nama menu dapat berbeda menurut versi Chrome.

Jika aplikasi sudah terpasang, buka dari layar utama. Jika dibuka melalui WhatsApp atau Instagram, buka dahulu di Chrome atau Safari.